sunshine6

Personally, I am afraid to call and find out I am not in.... Maybe that will change after another week or so.

In addition to what poorstockinger said: Be sure to ask about placement rates, (where their successful students end up completing their PhD or the percentage who are gainfully employed in the field.) AND don't forget to ask about average completion time/time to degree, and what percentage leave the program without degree. If you see a lot of people entering the program, and then abandoning it, there may be a problem. Ask about school fees that may not be included in a funding package... you may get tuition waived, but in many schools these fees are out of pocket, and are spendy. Most importantly, talk to current grad students. They are usually very forthright. They are not trying to sell their program as some faculty may be. Ask them about funding difficulties, if they think the program has grown or declined in the years they have spent there. Ask what they perceive as strengths or weaknesses in the program. I found this to be much more realistic answers than what the university provided. Don't fear to ask the hard questions, it just shows diligence. I even took notes and "interviewed" my dept chair. It is your life, and it is important to be sure all the components you want are there. After all, they made you go through the application process, and deemed you worthy, now it is your opportunity to do the same.

Hang in there. Things are tight, that is for sure. However, with good scores you have a chance, and I imagine that your research interests are more of a determination. For example, if the prof you have a perfect fit with isn't taking students, or (better scenario) you applied somewhere that your contribution would offset any expense to get international student funding. I also plan to contact my "rejections" and ask for any feedback on apps. This is also a good way to show that I still interested in their program, just in case I decide to reapply. Don't give up!

Again, if you need any UT Austin info, I'm your girl. Just checked the ASU website, changed from 'in review' to 'denied'. KInda saw that one coming, as they are having some severe financial issues. Oh well.

Seriously, this waiting business is getting annoying. Tell you what, you call my schools, and I will call yours. We can claim to be doing statistical research on admission result time frames in the recession era. (only partly joking :wink: )

With all due respect Barry, I'd say that is up for debate, but in an entirely different thread. Either way, the economy is certainly having a large effect on admissions this year, one of the schools I talked to said they would like to continue their 98% funding rate, but could no longer guarantee it. A VIP school in my field has placed some of it's faculty on furlough. Wish i would have known that before I sent them ($) an app.

me. want. burrito. mmmmm. That is all.

I am headed up this week stella, I will do some research on hotels and let you know what turns up....

Congrats Stella! Publicpolicy, I am coming up to Norman for a few days at the University's request (!) I was wondering if you could tell me a decent, relatively inexpensive place to stay near campus. Also, what would be a nice way to get to know the area... I plan to stop by the Mont, anything else I should do to check out the feel of the place? Drive around a bit? (I am pretty excited, but as a UT undergrad no one around here has any advice to share :shock: Obviously, I will leave the burnt orange at home)

I got a call today! But it was only Papa John's Pizza. Jerks. I am actually surprised how angry it made me, (the area code was from one of my schools... ) Stop calling me pizza place that isn't very good!

msphd, I read the thread you are referring to, and I too was surprised at the negative reaction you received. I am in a similar situation, so I empathize. The decisions we have to make are not going to be easy, but my SO and myself realize the importance of education and being happy within your career. When it becomes an "your great job v. my education and future" issue, compromise is difficult, and in some cases, improbable. This does not make you crazy-career-only-loser person. If you are anything like me, you weighed the options carefully and pragmatically, and realized the best path. synthla, that being said, please understand that none of these situations are easy and careless. The people in our lives are more important than almost anything. Walking away from a relationship is never simple. In my situation, I am going to grad school (WHEN I get in somewhere... arg) if SO goes with me, even better. If not, I will be pretty miserable, but he knew my plans from the outset. The SOs are equally responsible for making decisions, they can go, or they can be the ones that stay. Not terribly romantic, obviously, but realistic. I agree there are people that put career in front of everything, and that isn't healthy. But in this stage of life (not married, no kids, no defined commitment) every option is available to both parties in the relationship. Also, the topic of the other thread was the ridiculous things you would do to get a PhD, I was planning on replying with "chew off my own arm." Now that would be disgusting! mai, you have a difficult decision to make, but not all the results are in. For example, those funding packages might vary enough to sway your SO into moving, or adversely you may find it better to stay. Try not to stress yourself too much on this until you have all the information with which to make a decision. There is enough stress to deal with in just the waiting! I certainly sympathize, but none of us have your exact situation, so we can't tell you which to do. Also, I think everyone fears being alone, with or without a successful career. Just follow both your head and your heart, and you will be just fine. Hang in there!

Guys, I don't know if I can make it through this weekend... I am losing my ever loving mind!

Me too!

I lost my hard drive a few weeks ago, and don't have a paper copy. It is as if it never existed, and I prefer it that way. One less thing to fret over. Seriously throw the damn thing away. People in our circumstances have enough stress.

That is super exciting! Good Luck!

How do you know they are reviewing today? If you are psychic, then I have a lot of questions for you...

I am kind of a freak though. I hope it doesn't ruin my chances....

I got an email from a professor at one of my schools... They want me to come up meet the department and check out the program, sometime in the next few weeks. (I figure it should be no problem, it is about a five hour drive.) Is this an interview? Should I be jumping around? What the hell am I going to wear?

I'm on my way over...

Just my two cents. A program I applied to said that you could be accepted conditionally if you were missing courses they considered intro courses, and/or if you had a lower GPA. The only difference seemed to be funding. Once you take said courses or were able to pass classes with a 3.0 then you were eligible for assistantships or funding. Perhaps you are missing courses but were sent the letter about GPA by mistake? I would definitely call and sort it out.. Anyways, Congrats on your acceptance!

I feel your pain riss. Other than the two acceptance dreams, my nights have become rather stressful. Half of them are wait-mares. These are nightmares about waiting tables (my oh-so-illustrious job) that include customers coming in and sitting at dirty tables all at once, no food coming out of the kitchen, being unable to read what I've written down, the power/computer systems suddenly going out, the building looking completely wrong, and not knowing where anything is, etc... (most of this has actually happened before.) Aside from these are just general anxiety dreams, the floors crumbling under my feet, being unable to yell or stand up or walk (that one is my least favorite,) the car is uncontrollable, I am falling down an impossibly steep slope, lost in the woods, and so on. Where are those psychology/psycho-analytical majors when you need them? Freaking out somewhere too, I suppose.

(I guess I meant "hang" in there) Thanks nandelle, I appreciate the encouragement!

Either way, I am set with male enhancement products for life. (too bad I am female...)

For the last few nights I have had similar dreams... Night before last, I had a dream that I got a letter from my undergrad (UT Austin) that I had been accepted with funding. To bad I haven't applied there. So I woke up hoping that maybe I had an acceptance to UT Knoxville! Nothing so far, but I am still hoping. Then last night, I had a dream that I received an acceptance in a purple envelope, so out of boredom I checked all the school colors of my hopefuls, no purple. Sigh. So much for that! Does Maroon count??

Hand in there nandelle, feel positive for your acceptance! (some of us are still waiting :cry: )